Restoring 71 Nova SS - graduation project

[jwillebrand]

My son chose an ambitious graduation project when he was a freshman in HS. He wanted to restore an old car - concentrating on the drive train. After about 6 months of shopping all over the US he found this car about 20 miles from home (Washington, PA). Now he is a about to finish his Sophomore year and he has completed rebuild of the original 350 engine with the help of the local NAPA machine shop and the TH 350 auto transmission with the help & guidance of a local tranny shop. Carb is rebuilt and the engine is being assembled on a run stand in our garage.

That's the history. Now for the my request. We are about to reassemble the engine (attaching water pump, dist, carb, etc.) and tackle the body work.

• Can anyone recommned a resource for detailing the engine compartment according to original paint scheme?
• Stripping the old paint/bondo - I have heard of several differnet techniques ranging from mechanical, chemical, and a media blasting option. Can i get some comments on the pros & cons. We're new to bodywork.

Thanks,
Joe W

[1986Z28]

if there is a lot of repair to do on the body, i suggest you find someone else to do it, it is not easy

[jwillebrand]

Originally Posted by blownalcoholboy

if there is a lot of repair to do on the body, i suggest you find someone else to do it, it is not easy

Thanks for your comment. My son chose this project to learn about car restoration. He has done the endine and transmission. We're looking for some help with the project - not someone to do the work. I think it is tough to learn by watching someone else do the work. We have a few friends that are car buffs. They are helping with the project. They have differnet experiences with some items ie. stripping pain, joining replacement sheet metal. etc.

Thansk again for your suggestion.
Joe W

[1986Z28]

there is a guy that does bodywork videos that are really good, il try and think of his name, but if you need replacement body panels, DONT CHEAP OUT, you get what you pay for, if you want good fit and finish expect to spend some decent money, i reccomend year one and or classic industries, heard nothing but good things from them, if you have to replace alot of panels, like floors or rocker or quarter panels, stiffen up the body with steel tubing or something, that is one of the biggest mistakes i see people make, take your time lining up panels, etc.. and one of the best ways to learn is to watch someone else do it, its a very good way to learn. for the engine why not just buy a dress up kit, with neew polished or chromed stuff, i think you would be better off and give it a bit of a custom touch

[jwillebrand]

Originally Posted by blownalcoholboy

there is a guy that does bodywork videos that are really good, il try and think of his name, but if you need replacement body panels, DONT CHEAP OUT, you get what you pay for, if you want good fit and finish expect to spend some decent money, i reccomend year one and or classic industries, heard nothing but good things from them, if you have to replace alot of panels, like floors or rocker or quarter panels, stiffen up the body with steel tubing or something, that is one of the biggest mistakes i see people make, take your time lining up panels, etc.. and one of the best ways to learn is to watch someone else do it, its a very good way to learn. for the engine why not just buy a dress up kit, with neew polished or chromed stuff, i think you would be better off and give it a bit of a custom touch

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. When my son worked on the engine (stipped to casting, rebored +.030, new pistons, cam, crank, etc) he decided to go with a stock look (for now). Engine is assembled on a run stand and is painted Chevy Orange. Transmission was also rebuilt from the bottom up. I think he wants the original look.

Do the bodywork videos detail the hows & whys of the tubing applications or is that an "experience" thing?

I appreciate your interest in our project.

BTW - we've been in touch with a local shop that does plastice abrasion paint removal. Any experience with this technique?

[1986Z28]

yeah media blasting is good, at lot qicker than strippers, leaves no residue, but as soon as you get the car back you have to spray it with epoxy primer, before you do any repair, because rust will already be forming before you get it back, still trying to find those videos for you, il keep looking. btw what kind of parts did you put into this thing(engine) i see you bored it to a 355, but what else did you do, BTW im only 17 so im right around your kids age

[AlmostStock]

If using chemicals for stripping you must be sure to remove all traces of it from cracks and crevices or it will return later and ruin your paint job. It is also a very messy job. Media blasting is preferred as long as the proper media is used. Using too hard of an abrasive on large panels can cause warping. Also protective equipment needs to be used and media will end up all over the place. To answer your questions on how to properly finish your engine compartment like it was originally try looking here:

http://stevesnovasite.com/forums/index.php

They have a sub forum devoted just to originality. It's probably the most informative site about Nova's that there is.

For body restoration tools and supplies, (and some training materials) try here:

http://www.eastwoodco.com/

Have fun with your project and keep us posted on how it's going!